Pontchartrain Gardens

As a name, Pontchartrain Gardens is a bit misleading. You won’t find vast swaths of green space filled with flowers and hedges. What you will find in this Metairie neighborhood is a densely populated residential area, with houses directly adjacent to one of the largest medical centers in Greater New Orleans. The community is centrally located, allowing residents to access major roads like Clearview Parkway, Veterans Memorial Boulevard, West Esplanade Avenue and Interstate 10 with ease. It’s also only a few miles from downtown New Orleans, and its proximity to Lake Pontchartrain provides recreation opportunities on the shore or in the water.

“The neighborhood is family-friendly and incredibly convenient. The schools are great, and the retail and shopping along Veterans Boulevard give people something to do,” says Chris Talbot, a Realtor with Talbot Realty Group. “The area is more affordable compared to some of the neighborhoods around it, and there are rentable options, along with single-family homes. The area actually has several different home options with a multitude of designs.”

Homes in Pontchartrain Gardens are a delightful mix of cottages, Acadians, and new construction among a collection of traditional houses. There are apartments and condominiums too, but single-family residences are the norm. Walking is easy here as streets are well laid out for the space and overwhelmingly straight. Mature trees give shade to homes in the neighborhood, and numerous dining options from quick service to fast casual to upscale can be found along the borders of the community. Prices for houses range from $160,000 for a two-bedroom one-bath condo to $700,000 for a new construction with four bedrooms.

Students in the area have their pick of private, parochial, or public schools to choose from. Airline Park Academy for Advanced Studies works with children from prekindergarten through fifth grade to help them thrive in a rigorous and academically challenging setting. John Q. Adams Middle School opened in 1967 on a 10.5-acre campus and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The learning facility has nearly 40 classrooms, two zoological atriums, a talent center, a performing arts center and several athletic fields. The Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies was founded in 1939 and was the first elementary magnet school in Jefferson Parish. It teaches children from prekindergarten through fifth grade and has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School.

One of the major features of Pontchartrain Gardens is the East Jefferson General Hospital. The medical complex specializes in brain and spinal care, cancer care, heart and vascular health, surgeries and women’s health. Opened in 1971, the New Orleans-based non-profit health system is dedicated to helping the people of the parish and is part of the LCMC health network. This is the only hospital in Louisiana to have been re-certified five times for a Magnet designation in nursing excellence and is also in the top ten percent in the nation for overall hospital care.

If you want something sweet and enjoy shopping with local businesses, Joe Gambino’s Bakery has been catering to customers since 1949. The bakery is known throughout the state for its seasonal king cakes, doberge and designer cakes, petit fours and other assorted desserts. If you’d prefer a loaf of authentic New Orleans French bread, the eatery has that too along with high-quality olive oils. Everything in the shop is made from scratch, and the store has a taste guarantee which ensures you can return the product if it doesn’t meet your expectations.

Another popular neighborhood stop is the Boulevard American Bistro. This eatery serves classic wood-fired dishes with a contemporary twist. The family-run company has a casual atmosphere and upscale design. All the dishes are made from scratch, and the restaurant features a happy hour, martini Thursdays and half-off a bottle of wine on Wednesdays. In addition, the Boulevard Market is attached to the business and allows customers to pick up grab-and-go meals, wine and spirits, seasonings and house-made sauces.

Pontchartrain Gardens invites residents to make the ordinary extraordinary in this centrally located suburban community.

Written By

K.T. Phillips

Photography Contributed By

Andrew Williams

Video By

Curtis Newkirk